15. Kill.
Zoro was silent all the way.
Elder Stone walked quietly beside him, he didn't know much about Zoro. As a high level Warrior he didn't find the need to investigate a Warrior Apprentice's background, until now.
With Elder Stone as the guide, they were able to shorten their travel by quite some time.
Zoro's mind was filled with memories of his mother. Because he fused with Xiao Yun's soul his emotions have also merged with him.
To Xiao Yun his mother was his world, in a cold family she was what gave him the strength to live. But life was never kind, he could only suffer in silence as he watched his mother's body lay on the streets, abandoned.
Her murderer still roamed Maple city freely while he was powerless to even stand up to them. Everyday he wished for power, he wished to rip apart those who harmed her.
One day while he was out he bumped into his half brother Xiao Long and some of his friends. Long kept on calling him trash, he insulted and humiliated him infront of others but Yun didn't retaliate.
He endured everything, but Long didn't stop there. He started to insult his mother, called her a whore who wanted to climb up the Xiao family.
That was the last straw, his mother was his greatest taboo. Without even considering he was just an ordinary person Yun attacked Long but how could he harm a Warrior.
Long beated him savagely, even his friends joined in. After they were done they threw him into an alley.
On the verge of death Yun despaired, he couldn't defend his mother's dignity, he couldn't kill her murderer.
His soul was at the point of dissipation when Zoro's soul entered his dying body. Unlike Yun, Zoro was a Warrior through and through.
Uncontrollably Zoro's soul sucked in energy from all around, this included Yun's soul as well. The absorbed energy healed Yun's body at the same time his soul also merged with Zoro.
In a certain way Zoro is Yun and likewise. So Yun's deep love for his mother and the hatred for her murderer was also felt by Zoro.
...
A day later...
Large walls stood before Zoro and Elder Stone. With Elder Stone it only took them couple of days to reach Maple City.
Zoro's eyes flickered with hatred. He stepped forward, to enter the city.
The traffic towards Maple city was the same as usual. Guards checked the identity of each person before they were allowed entry inside.
As Zoro approached the city gates a guard's eyes flashed. He quickly took out a slip and said something but putting it back.
Some time after that three figures approached him. One of them quickly asked.
" Where is he!? "
The guard pointed forwards. The man looked far and saw Zoro walking towards the city gates with an old man.
He gave the guard a gold coin and the three of them rushed towards Zoro.
Zoro sensed someone look at him. He raised his head to see three figures rush in his direction.
" Kiddo, it seems they are here to kill you."
Elder Stone sensed killing intent from these three figures. All three of them were mid stage Warrior Master, he wasn't worried since Zoro was strong enough to take out peak level Warrior Masters.
" I know."
Zoro didn't put these three in his eyes, originally he planned to stay until he brokethrough to Warrior Master but with Elder Stone's appearance he decided to let nature take its course.
" Ha! You finally came out of your hole bastard! "
" Die."
" Go to hell! "
The three of them didn't hold back and attacked at the same time. Zoro's hand touched his Sword's hilt.
" One Sword Style.....
Shadow Beheading! "
A reddish black light flashed. Zoro was still walking, Elder Stone followed.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Three heads fell down one by one. Surrounding people were scared. They saw how three black robed men try to kill a young man but a second later their heads rolled on the ground.
People gave way as Zoro walked. As he walked past that guard his eyes briefly scanned him.
That one second felt like a decade for that guard. His body was drenched in sweat, after Zoro passed his knees buckled and fell down. He was still shivering from that look Zoro gave him.
' That wasn't a man... that was a Beast!! '
Zoro walked slowly, usually he would lose his direction but not this place. He walked past the vendors, he walked past the resident area until he reached a quite courtyard.
Tombstones were erected inside. Zoro walked ahead, he took some turns and walked towards a small broken stone.
This was where his mother, Nalan Yue rested.
His eyes uncontrollably teared up, he bend down and started to remove the weeds around the grave.
After cleaning he sat down.
Elder Stone watched from afar and sighed. He didn't understand what happened in Zoro's life but from what he guessed it wasn't pleasant.
Zoro was silent for several minutes and spoke up
" My name is Roronoa Zoro and I am not your son. Your son is gone, killed by your husband's family.
Before his death his soul fused with mine, I have felt everything he experienced, his love for you, sorrow, hatred... in a way he lives through me.
His greatest wish was to get strong, to protect you.... now he isn't here but I am. In his place I shall get strong, in his place I shall get revenge for you!!
This is my promise!! "
Zoro rose up and left. Elder Stonevfollowed him, as Zoro is right now he couldn't let him out of sight otherwise he might kill anyone who cross him.
" Don't worry old man, I won't become a madman."
Zoro's voice reached his ears, he was surprised. He sensed a deep hatred within that voice but it was controlled.
' If he couldn't atleast do this then he won't be the talent he is.'